Over the last couple of days I've made it through the OHL-Russia game played the other night.

One Russia first goal, BoHo was doing a damn fine CoHo as he was caught watching. By the end of the third, as Hunter had the kids going for it, Horvat was moved to the top line and later played on a line with his Knights team mates. He was a team worst -3 with the goals coming on great passing fast break Russia Sedinary plays.

Gaunce was steady and that is the best and worst I can say about him.

Both Gaunce and Horvat wore A's.

Given that the team was assembled the night before and only had a morning skate to work together, and it showed, Monday's game should be a better display.

RoyalDude wrote:Shinkaruk is having a shite season, numbers wise. I know he's had injury problems but dude, start fucking putting points up, if you ain't doing that you are no good to us.

Not to pile on - but I did hear a concerning couple of comments made by Don Hay on my way to watch the Giants vs. Tigers game a few nights back.

I can't quite remember the exact quote - but to paraphrase - after he was asked how to shut down the first rounder - he commented that Shinkaruk wasn't playing great hockey, that he didn't play well within a team system and he wasn't sure if/when or at all he would be ready to take the next step. Still had some work to do on his game.

Usually in these cases, aren't coaches either just going to say "He's a good player, good skill, etc etc blah blah blah. Hay seemed to go out of his way to criticize him without saying anything terrible outright.

My opinion on the way he played wasn't great. Definitely one of the best skaters out there, but looked far to much like Mason Raymond. Take it down the wing, shoot from an odd angle and then lazily backcheck. He sparked a line-brawl that the end of the game by spearing one of the Giants, and promptly got his lunch handed to him.

excerpt:The Erie Otters General Manager and Owner Sherry Bassin has announced that the team has acquired forward Brendan Gaunce from the Belleville Bulls in exchange for Stephen Harper and draft picks.

“Pleased to get a high profile player in Brendan Gaunce,” said Sherry Bassin. “Brendan plays both ends of the ice. He shares the puck and understands how to accept responsibity.”

Brendan Gaunce, a 6’2”, 215 pound center from Markham, Ontario has played his entire Ontario Hockey League career with the Bulls, serving as their captain this season and last. He recently served as an alternate captain for Team Ontario in the Subway Super Series against Team Russia.The former second overall pick in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection has recorded 82 goals and 108 assists for 190 points in 215 career games played in the OHL. Gaunce was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2012 National Hockey League Entry Draft. The Otters will receive Mississauga’s fifth round pick in 2014 the transaction.